Panther Print for Parents 🐾

In my long tenure as a teacher I selected Watervliet out of five offers I had to teach when I decided to come back to education. I am originally from Battle Creek, Michigan, which makes me pretty much a lifelong panther.

I graduated from Western Michigan University with a BS in Geology and earned my USATF level 2 certification through the Villanova Track and Field Program. Which helped launch my success as a track and field coach.

Family is very important to me, and the reason I moved back to Michigan from my 13 years spent in Florida. I recently married Rhonda Purcell, who works in language acquisition for the Potawatomi Tribe. We have two children who are very active in sports and attend Mattawan High School.

I currently teach AP Environmental Science, Earth Science, and Marine/Freshwater Science. I currently coach middle school cross country which won their first regional title. I recently accepted the Boy's Head Track coach position which will mark my 14th year as a head coach.

This summer I am looking forward to watching the Olympic Games, particularly to support Sinclair Johnson and her family, who represent the Central Florida Track Community. I'm proud to have been a small part in her journey as a professional track and field athlete.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because it allows me to do what he loves. Despite briefly working as a UPS driver, my heart has always been in teaching and coaching. I am grateful for an opportunity to help our students and athletes achieve great success.

One thing that might surprise you is I have a huge phobia when it comes to public speaking, and being in front of large crowds.

In summary, I am a proud member of the WHS community, passionate about teaching, coaching, and supporting my students and athletes.

The English classes celebrate March as it is recognized as Reading Month, although they’ve been reading throughout the school year. Here are a few of the different ways the students have celebrated: In 9th grade, all the freshmen shared their favorite books and were captured with their smiling “book faces” for a reading collage on the English classroom door.

In 10th and 11th grade, Mrs. Riedenger shared snapshots of her students “Caught Reading."

While many of our students engage in independent reading, they’ve also completed many classic classroom novels in grades 9-12. These include To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, The Crucible, and The Night. “Research has supported that independent reading as the most significant impact on student success in reading,” (NCTE, 2019) The more a person reads, the more knowledgeable they become about the world and its people. Students who read have an increased comprehension for all core subject areas.

Dear Panther Parent:

You are receiving this communication because your high school student, based on grades and current GPA, is eligible to dual enroll for the fall semester of the 2024-2025 school year.

Dual enrollment is the process by which a high school student completes a college course or courses during the school day while also earning credit toward his/her high school diploma. These college courses are completed at the cost of Watervliet Public Schools. Dual enrollment at WHS is in partnership with Lake Michigan College. The dual enrolled courses typically count towards your child’s required elective credits.

There are many benefits of dual enrollment. Dual enrolling in high school increases the likelihood that a student will enroll in post secondary coursework after high school. It eases the transition from high school to college as students get to experience what it is like to take college courses while still in high school. Because students are taking college courses in high school, it lessens the time that is needed on a college campus to complete a degree after high school. Dual enrolling in high school lessens the cost of a college degree as Watervliet Public Schools assumes the cost of college courses while a student is in high school. Dual enrollment also allows students to explore classes they might be interested in outside of the traditional high school offerings and can provide more rigorous coursework when needed.

We would like to see as many Panthers who are eligible and interested consider dual enrollment. If your child has interest in pursuing this option for the fall semester, please encourage him/her to go to the counseling office this week to seek out more information. The counseling secretary (Mrs. Tyler) will get your child started in this process by looking at a course catalog at the offerings available at LMC. In addition to classes offered at the Benton Harbor campus (for which we will be providing a bus to and from in the fall) and online classes (taken here at WHS), classes are offered on site at WHS so that students do not have to leave the school campus in order to complete a course.

This semester, 95 Panthers are dual enrolled in a total of 120 courses while also working toward their high school diplomas at Watervliet High School. We would like to see your child take advantage of this opportunity as well. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns on the topic of dual enrollment. We are eager to make the opportunity available to eligible students with interest. Registration for FALL semester 1 at LMC in OPEN! If your child is interested in dual enrollment, he/she should see Mrs. Tyler in the Counseling Office right away.

This week, Ms. Powers met with all freshmen in their English class to review DUAL ENROLLMENT. Please review the slides below. There will be a parent presentation on this topic later in the school year. If you have questions, concerns, or want to see your child dual enrolled for next year, please reach out to us!

On Friday, the student in Mr. Andrews' US HISTORY IN DEPTH class attended a field trip to the following places:

- Ford Rouge Factory

- Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Check out he pictures below!

The newly formed HS Robotics team Pantron-X competed in its first ever FRC competition this past weekend at Berrien Springs Invitational. The team worked well together and overcame some challenges with the robot to finish 4-8 for the weekend. Although the team didn't make the playoffs, we were competitive and finished the event strong.The judges awarded the team the Rookie Inspirational Award. This goes to the rookie team that was the most inspired and committed to building their robot and being a part of FIRST.The team consists of : Nova Wise, Jacob Milham, Sam Milham, Isaiah Wendt, Ben Ruland, Lucas Wilder and Paige Shafer. The trophy can be seen in the HS!

The Michigan Sheriffs’ Association Criminal Justice Scholarship was created to provide support to young adults who aspire to further their education and develop a knowledge in Criminal Justice at a College or University in Michigan. The Michigan Sheriffs’ Association will offer a $1,000 scholarship to five graduating seniors. One student from each of the five Districts will be chosen.

Nominations can only be made by a member of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association. Each member may make up to two nominations. If you are not a current member, please click the link below this to become a member of MSA.

https://www.misheriff.org/membership/

The Scholarship Committee will take into consideration each applicant’s GPA, Extracurricular Activities, Awards & Honors, Essay Question answers, and any Letters of Recommendation submitted.

Requirements:

· High School Senior accepted to a Community College, Four-Year College, or University in Michigan

· Copy of High School Transcript

· Letter of Acceptance from College or University

All applicants will be notified of the scholarship recipients on or before May 10, 2024.

Awards will be presented in the county where the award recipient resides.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 1, 2024

To submit a nomination please use the following link: https://www.misheriff.org/criminal-justice-scholarship/

Any questions please contact Matt Saxton at msaxton@misheriff.org

Thanks

Matt

Matthew M. Saxton FBINA #230

CEO/Executive Director

Ayana Marshall placed 8th at the Michigan State Wrestling Championships over the weekend at Ford Field. Congratulations, Yaya! WHS is so proud of you!

#PANTHER PRIDE

WHS has an after school homework help program with certified teachers and NHS members assisting students on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:15. If your child needs a quiet space to work or extra assistance, encourage him/her to stop by.

223 Panthers completed our annual student survey this year. In each parent newsletter for the remainder of this school year, you will see a few results included, until all of the results have been shared. The Student Advisory Council to the Principal (SAC) have reviewed all of the results and feel positive overall regarding what the survey shows. The results have also been reviewed with the WHS staff and will also be reviewed at the next PAC meeting this week!

We want you accessing your child's Canvas account! Please take the following steps so that you can be checking on his/her grades on a regular basis.

1. Steps for parents to create a parent Canvas account.

   1. Obtain Student Pairing Code

   2. Sign up for an account through your phone app or on the computer using an email address.
      

2. Parents should go to www.watervlietps.org and click on the link "Canvas for Parents" in the middle of the homepage. Here is the direct link: https://www.

   watervlietps.org/o/wps/page/

   canvas-resources. Here you will find the screenshot instructions, a 7 slide presentation and brief videos on navigating the parent portal, checking grades, viewing assignments and accessing teacher feedback.

3. Students need to create the pairing code for their parents and it is only valid for 7 days.

4. If you are having difficulty obtaining the student pairing code, teachers have access to this information within their course by going to People and clicking on the 3 dots in the upper right corner and choosing Export Pairing Codes. Again, these pairing codes are only good for 7 days. Quick way for teachers get this code to a parent when communicating with them.

5. Instructions are online AND shared every Friday in the high school parent newsletter.

Please reach out to us in the high school office if you have questions or concerns about accessing your child's Canvas account. We need and want your support at the high school!

Mar 13 Early Release Day

Mar 20 SAC 7:30 AM

Mar 21 Van Buren Tech Informational Night 6 pm

Mar 27 PAC 6 pm

Mar 27 Early Release Day

Mar 28 End of MP 3

Mar 29 Good Friday No School

Mar 29-Apr 5 Spring Break

April 11 Work Keys testing for Juniors

Apr 12 March Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

Apr 17 Early Release Day

Apr 17 SAC 7:30 AM

Apr 18 SAT for JUNIORS, PSAT for 9th and 10th Graders

Apr 19 MSTEP for Juniors (Science and Social Studies)

Apr 22 Dual Enrollment Informational Night 6 pm

Apr 24 PAC 6 pm

May 1 Early Release Day

May 1 Decision Day 10 am (Seniors)

May 1 SAC 7:30 AM

May 3 Progress Reports

May 3 April Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

May 9 Blood Drive

May 11 PROM 7-11 PM; place TBD

May 15 Early Release Day

May 15 Senior Awards Night 6 pm

May 15 SAC 7:30 AM

May 16 Spring Band Concert

May 22 PAC 6 pm

May 21-23 Senior Exams Days

May 23 Spring Choir Concert

May 24 Seniors’ Last Day

May 24 Car Parade

May 27 Memorial Day; No School

May 29 Baccalaureate 6 pm (Seniors)

May 29 SAC 7:30 AM

May 30 Senior Picnic/School visits and grad practice

May 31 May Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

May 31 Graduation 6:30 pm

June 3 Underclassmen Awards; time TBD

June 4-6 Half Days for Exams

June 6 Last Day of School